Flood gate with pry elevator



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FLOOD GATE WITH PRY ELEVATOR Filed June 7, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hug/ C. A//son INVENTOR.

BY @Magw 3,214,917 y FLGE) GATE WITH PRY ELEVATOR Hugh C. Allston, Yonges Island, S.C., assignor to W. 0. Hanahan, Charleston Heights, 5.0.

Filed .lune 7, 1962, Ser. No. 200,711 3 Claims. (Cl. 61-25) The present invention generally relates to a flood gate assembly and more particularly an arrangement having a pry-type elevator for the gate. The present invention represents certain novel improvements over that construction disclosed in Patent No. 3,025,677 issued March 20, 1962 for Flood Gates.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved and novel ood gate assembly having a trunk forming a Water passageway through a water retaining bank with an upstanding spillway at one end of the trunk and a swinging gate-type closure at the other end of the trunk.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel precast sectional trunk having overlapping adjacent end portions rigidly but detachably secured together.

Yet another object of the present invention is to prow'de an assembly having a vertically extending spillway at one end thereof in the form of an upstanding hollow member having a portion of the wall provided with a vertical opening together with vertically insertable closure boards for eiectively varying the position of the bottom edge of the opening for controlling the How of water through the water passageway formed by the trunk.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a ood gate assembly having a novel closure gate at one end of the trunk which cooperates with an inclined end portion of the trunk and which is weighted and swingable and vertically elevatable by use'of a pry bench and fulcrum assembly.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a tiood gate assembly in accordance with the preceding objects which is simple in construction, easy to operate, dependable and longlasting, easy to install, effective for its particular purposes, useful in many orientations and generally inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, with portions broken away, of the ood gate assembly of the present invention illustrating an exemplary installation;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the construction of FIGURE 1;

FlGURE 3 is an end view of the construction of FIG- URE 1 as viewed from the closure gate member;

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the construction of FIG- URE 1 as viewed from the spillway end of the assembly;

FGURE 5 is a transverse, sectional View taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 of FIGURE l illustrating the internal construction of the trunk; and

FIGURE 6 is a plan sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 6 6 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the construction of the spillway.

Referring not specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the flood gate assembly of the present invention which includes a hollow trunk forming a water passageway and defined generally by the numeral 12 and which has assembled with one end thereof an upstanding spillway generally designated by numeral 14 and at the other end thereof, there is provided a ood gate generally designated by numeral 16. The trunk 12 is formed of two longitudinally aligned hollow sections 18 and 20 of any suitable cross-sectional configuration although a rectangular cross-sectional configuration is preferable. The hollow sections 18 and 20 may be constructed of any suitable cementitious material or the like and provided with reinforcing rods or the like as deemed necessary. The adjacent ends of the sections 18 and 20 have projecting portions 22 and 24 respectively which overlap each other. The abutting end edges of the sections 18 and 20 have a tongue and groove joint or connection 26 which etfectively seals the junction between the sections 18 and 20 thus forming a continuous passage. Any suitable grouting may be employed between the abutting ends of the sections 18 and 20 but normally, the tongue and groove joint is sutiicient for the purposes for which this device is intended.

The section 20 has the spillway 14 integrally formed therewith although it is pointed out that the spillway could be a separate component from the section 20 and connected thereto in any suitable manner. However, as illustrated, the spillway 14 includes an upwardly extending inner wall 32 and a pair of integral side walls 34 and 36 which form continuations of the side walls of the section 20. The inner wall 32 forms a continuation of the top wall of the section 20. The space opposite from the wall 32 is vertically open as indicated by reference numeral 38. Spaced inwardly from the edges of the side walls 34 Iand 36 is a vertical groove or channel 40 slidably receiving a plurality of boards or segments 42 of any suitable material which have ends slidably received in the grooves or channels 40 and which abuttingly rest against each other for forming a water barrier for retaining water 44 at a desired level. By varying the number of segments 42, the level at which water will run into the spillway from a water source may be varied or the level at which water will run out of the spillway into an area to be iiooded may be varied.

As illustrated, the trunk 14 extends under a water retaining bank 46 and a plurality of retaining boards 48 are provided on each side of the bank to retain the portions of the bank adjacent the flood gate assembly in generally vertical orientation.

At the other end of the trunk, the section 18 is provided with an inclined end portion 50 which is engaged y by a gate member 52 constructed 'of a plurality of tongue and grooved board members interconnected by a pair of support rails 54 and a center support rail 56. The rails 54 and 56 are attached to the outer surface of the board 52 by the use of any suitable fasteners. Mounted on the lower end of the gate member 52 is a wei-ght receiving receptacle 58 having a generally flat bottom 60 and inclined outer wall 62 for receiving rocks or other members for imparting weight to the gate member 52 wherein the gate member 52 will be urged against the inclined end portion of the trunk section 1S for forming a closure therefor.

Supported in spaced relation to the inclined end portion S0 of the section 18 is a pair of upstanding support members 64 embracing opposite side walls of the section 18. Also mounted on opposite side Walls of the section 1S is a pair of retaining cleats 66 disposed in spaced parallel relation to each of the support members 64. Wedge members 68 are driven between the cleats 66 and the support member 64 thus retaining the support member 64 assembled in relation to the section 18 inasmuch as a transverse retaining bar 70 is provided across the top surface of the section 18 and has the end portion thereof projecting through the side supporting member 64 and a wedge 72 extends through the end portions of the retaining bar '70 thus forcing the support member 64 in- Wardly for clampingly engaging the side walls of the section 18 which together with the wedges 68 form a positive means for `attaching the support member 64 to the section 18 but also enables removal thereof when desired. Holding the upper ends of the support member 64 apart is a transverse bar 74 having reduced trunnions 76 extending through corresponding Iopenings in the side members 64 thus maintaining the side support member 64 in spaced parallel relation. Also, for supporting the upper end portions of the support member 64, there is provided a pair of inclined braces 78 which are attached to the support member 64 adjacent the upper end thereof and which have the other ends connected to upstanding support members 80 engaging the board retaining wall 48 and being attached to the side walls of the trunk section 18 by fastening bolts 82 which also are employed to retain the cleats 66 on the trunk section 18.

The transverse bar 74 is pivotal labout the trunnions 76 and has a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots 84 therein slidably receiving the rails 54 and 56 respectively.

The rails 54 and also 56 have a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 86 therein for receiving supporting pins 88 which are inserted therethrough and which rest on top of the transverse supporting bar 74 thus supporting the closure gate 52 from the transverse bar for pivotal swinging movement about an axis defined by the trunnions 76. Also, by elevating the closure gate 52, the pins 88 may be inserted in selective apertures 86 thus supporting the closure gate 52 at selected elevational positions for maintaining the trunk section 18 open at all times to a desired degree.

The support rail 56 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced slot-like apertures 90 therein which are adapted to receive a pry bar or fulcrum member which also will engage a pry bench 92 in the form of a transverse member extending through the side support member 64 and having wedge members 94 extending through the outer end portions and engaging the support member 64 thus retaining the pry bench 92 in position. By virtue of using a fulcrum and engaging the pry bench with it, the fulcrum may be used to elevate the closure gate 52 to a desired open position with considerably less effort and with a very simple structure. This will enable the gate to not only be used as a swinging-type gate valve that is normally closed by gravity but also enable the valve to be set at a desired open position when required.

Essentially, the components of the trunk, spillway and gate assembly are constructed so that they may be readily assembled by use of conventional procedures. Each part is light enough in weight that it may be handled simply with a device such as a dragline. The assemblies may be used in culverts for roads or for flood gates channeling water in rice fields or back waters. For example, with the spillway constructed as shown, it may be used in a shrimp pond so that the water can be let in and out. Thus, when the shrimp in the pond have reached a proper size, they can be taken out of the pond and afterwards water can be let back into the pond so that the pond can be resupplied with small shrimp. This facilitates the raising of shrimp or fish in salt water ponds in areas having access to a supply of salt water. Of course, the device may be used in various irrigation assemblies, drainage assemblies or the like where it is desired to control the water communication from one area to another where there is provided a barrier therebetween.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A water gate comprising, in combination, a generally horizontal tubular member including one terminal end portion having a planar end face inclined downwardly and outwardly, a water retaining member through which said tubular member extends with said one terminal end portion projecting outwardly from `one side thereof and the other terminal end portion of said tubular member projecting outwardly from the opposite side of said retaining member for receiving water from an open body of Water disposed on said opposite side of said water retaining member and having a level above the lower extremity of said other terminal end portion, a closure gate of a size and shape for covering completely said inclined planar end face and being disposed in surfaceto-surface engagement with the latter for closing said one terminal end portion, upstanding support means disposed above said one terminal end portion, a generally horizontal support bar journaled to said support means above said tubular member for rotation about a horizontal axis and extending transversely of said tubular member, said closure gate including an elongated upstanding and inclined extension projecting upwardly therefrom and upwardly freely slidably engaging said support bar, support means provided between said bar and said extension and supporting said extension solely against downward movement and for rotation with said support bar in response to swinging movement of said closure gate about the axis of rotation of said support bar, said inclined extension, when said closure gate is engaged with said inclined end face, being disposed in a plane generally paralleling said inclined end face, said support means including shiftable means positionable along the length of said extension for shifting said extension relative to said support bar and said gate relative to said end face, and weight means carried by said closure gate urging said gate into tighter frictional engagement with said inclined end face and downwardly toward its limit position 'of downward movement relative to said support bar and inclined end face.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said other terminal end portion of the tubular member is provided with a spillway connected therewith, said spillway comprising an upright hollow member communicated with said other end portion and adapted to be disposed in said body of water, a portion of the wall of the hollow member having a vertical opening therein,

and removable barrier members mounted in vertical References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 490,137 1/93 corliss 6142s 754,303 3/04 Heidi 61-22 1,878,383 9/32 ofensa 61-17 2,300,820 11/42 vogel @1 22 X 2,530,747 1l/50 Whipple 61-28 X 3,025,677 3/62 Allston 6142s EARL I. WIIMER, Prmlary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CCRRECTION Patent No. 3,214,917 November Z, 1965 Hugh C. Allston It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent s heuld read as corrected below.

In the grant, lines 2 and 3, for "assigner to W. O. Hanahan, of Charleston Heights, South Carolina," read assigner of fifty percent te W. O. Hanahan, of Charleston Heights, South Carolina, --g line l2, for "W. O. Hanahan, his heirs" read Hugh C. Allston and W. O. Hanahan, their heirs in the heading te the printed specification, lines 3 and 4, for "assigner te W. O. Hanahan, Charleston Heights, S. C." read assigner ef fifty percent to W. O. Hanahan, Charleston Heights, S. C.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of September 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER i EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A WATER GATE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL TUBULAR MEMBER INCLUDING ONE TERMINAL END PORTION HAVING A PLANAR END FACE INCLINED DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY, A WATER RETAINING MEMBER THROUGH WHICH SAID TUBULAR MEMBER EXTENDS WITH SAID ONE TERMINAL END PORTION PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM ONE SIDE THEREOF AND THE OTHER TERMINAL END PORTION OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID RETAINING MEMBER FOR RECEIVING WATER FROM AN OPEN BODY OF WATER DISPOSED ON SAID OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID WATER RETAINING MEMBER AND HAVING A LEVEL ABOVE THE LOWER EXTREMITY OF SAID OTHER TERMINAL END PORTION, A CLOSURE GATE OF A SIZE AND SHAPE FOR COVERING COMPLETELY SAID INCLINED PLANAR END FACE AND BEING DISPOSED IN SURFACETO-SURFACE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LATTER FOR CLOSING SAID ONE TERMINAL END PORTION, UPSTANDING SUPPORT MEANS DISPOSED ABOVE SAID ONE TERMINAL END PORTION, A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL SUPPORT BAR JOURNALED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS ABOVE SAID TUBULAR MEMBER FOR TOTATION ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER, SAID CLOSURE GATE INCLUDING AN ELONGATED UPSTANDING AND INCLINED EXTENSION PROJECTION UPWARDLY THEREFROM AND UPWARDLY FREELY SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID SUPPORT BAR, SUPPORT MEANS PROVIDED BETWEEN SAID BAR AND SAID EXTENSION AND SUPPORTING SAID EXTENSION SOLELY AGAINST DOWNWARD MOVEMENT AND FOR ROTATION WITH SAID SUPPORT BAR IN RESPONSE TO SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID CLOSURE GATE ABOUT THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID SUPPORT BAR, SAID INCLINED EXTENSION, WHEN SAID CLOSURE GATE IS ENGAGED WITH SAID INCLINED END FACE, BEING DISPOSED IN A PLANE GENERALLY PARALLELING SAID INCLINED END FACE, SAID SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING SHIFTABLE MEANS POSITIONABLE ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID EXTENSION FOR SHIFTING SAID EXTENSION RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORT BAR AND SAID GATE RELATIVE TO SAID END FACE, AND WEIGHT MEANS CARRIED BY SAID CLOSURE GATE URGING SAID GATE INTO TIGHTER FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID INCLINED END FACE AND DOWNWARDLY TOWARD IT LIMT POSITION OF DOWNWARD MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORT BAR AND INCLINED END FACE. 